Data Science and Big Data is a very hot topic nowadays among Information Technology (IT) specialists, but also among media outlets around the world. Directly connected to data analysis and business intelligence, the knowledge and skills learned during a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Big Data are incredibly valuable for today’s job market.
In a world where every type of job involves working with data (of any kind), almost everybody needs a skilled data scientist to filter the red flags, interpret data, and find solutions. A data scientist is like an analyst who can predict and calculate the potential results of the business by looking at streams of data.
In a world where every type of job involves working with data (of any kind), almost everybody needs a skilled data scientist to filter red flags, interpret data, discover patterns and trends and use them to find solutions. A data scientist is like an analyst who can predict and calculate the potential results of the business by looking at streams of data.
All fine and dandy, but what are some specific jobs for a Data Science graduate? We’ll get to that in a minute!
First, here are a few universities we recommend for Data Science studies:
- University of Texas at Austin, the US
- Birkbeck, University of London, the UK
- Institut Polytechnique de Paris, France
- Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), the Netherlands
- Warsaw University of Technology, Poland
Make sure you don't overlook online Data Science courses that allow you to study from the comfort of your home, while also managing other responsibilities, like a full-time job or taking care of your family.
Now, let's take a look at some of the most popular Data Science and Big Data jobs. As a bonus, we've added some of the most common responsibilities and the average salaries in the US, based on information from PayScale.
1. Statistician – 72,100 USD/year
Work for: national governments, local authorities, consulting and reporting companies, market research companies and research institutes.
Responsibilities:
- Collect, organise and interpret data, providing useful insights, patterns, and solutions
- Review the quality and accuracy of the data
- Design and test new data collection methods and strategies
You can also study a Master's in Statistics to go on this career path.
2. Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst – 67,600 USD/year
Work for: tech companies, financial companies, consulting and reporting companies.
Tasks:
- Help the organisation improve the collaboration between different departments
- Deliver presentations on organizational data, company trends, and future directions
- Organise seminars and trainings to help managers better understand business intelligence
To follow this career path you can also enrol in a Master's degree in Business Intelligence.
3. Data Analyst – 59,700 USD/year
Work for: telecommunications companies, finance companies, manufacturing companies, construction and utility companies and other large companies.
Responsibilities:
- Collect and analyse data relevant for the client’s needs
- Test and evaluate new data sources and data collection methods
- Interpret data and present findings as charts or reports
4. Big Data Engineer – 114,800 USD/year
Work for: tech, entertainment, retail, and trade companies.
Tasks:
- Create, test, and manage Big Data infrastructure and tools
- Monitor and evaluate performance and suggest changes to the infrastructure
- Define policies regarding data retention
5. Database Administrator (DBA) – 72,800 USD/year
Work for: financial & medical institutions, social media companies, research institutes, law firms, etc.
Responsibilities:
- Install, configure, and monitor database systems
- Monitor and maintain the efficiency of the company’s servers
- Collaborate with Cybersecurity experts to ensure data safety
6. Data Architect – 115,800 USD/year
Work for: public or private organisations, like education institutions, healthcare facilities, and others
Responsibilities:
- Design, structure, and maintain data and databases
- Ensure the validity and accuracy of the collected data
- Create a data strategy in collaboration with other departments in the company
7. Machine Learning Engineer – 111,600 USD/year
Work for: large international organisations, like Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Accenture, Autodesk, etc.
Tasks:
- Design, create, and test self-running & self-learning software
- Works with the Data Science team and helps them become more efficient
- Makes sure the code is easy to scale, maintain, and debug
Compare Masters in Data Science
Ready to start your Data Science & Big Data journey?
Harvard Business Review called data scientist “the sexiest job” of the 21st century. And who can blame them? With great salaries and exciting work, it's no surprise Data Science jobs are growing in popularity.According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs from the Computer & Information Research as well as Statistics are expect to grow 16-30% by 2028.
If you have a keen eye for patterns and puzzles, the focus and dedication of an analyst, as well as programming prowess, you should definitely start unlocking the challenges of data with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Big data and Data Science.